Lodi balks at proposed crackdown on winery events

LODI - City of Lodi officials came out in opposition to a proposed county rule change that would place a moratorium on the number of weddings and marketing events at the region's wineries.

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By Keith Reid

recordnet.com

By Keith Reid

Posted May. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM

By Keith Reid

Posted May. 17, 2012 at 12:01 AM

» Social News

LODI - City of Lodi officials came out in opposition to a proposed county rule change that would place a moratorium on the number of weddings and marketing events at the region's wineries.

The City Council on Wednesday night authorized City Manager Rad Bartlam to draft and send a letter to San Joaquin County opposing the moratorium - officially known as a title text amendment to the county's ordinance overseeing the development of new wineries - that would prevent new wineries from hosting marketing events and force current wineries to modify their existing marketing plans to not include more events.

The prohibition of new marketing event permits came about at the county level in February when supervisors approved a new events-heavy winery business off Turner Road, against protests that its existence would disturb neighbors and potentially lead to similar businesses to open and saturate Lodi's wine scene.

The concern at the county level is that vast expansion of wineries that operate dozens of events each year could get in the way of farming.

The county Planning Commission will consider the moratorium at its June 7 meeting.

City leaders on Wednesday said they want new wineries to open, not to dissuade them by banning marketing events.

"The city has spent years and hundreds of thousands of dollars promoting the winegrape industry and tourism in the area," Bartlam said before the meeting. "My read on the (proposed text amendment) is that is not in the spirit of keeping Lodi a wine destination but actually thwarts that goal."

Bartlam said the county is "overreacting to a couple of specific situations and not a widespread problem."

The city's stance mirrors that of many in the wine industry who have opposed the moratorium and are asking for a more measured approach.

Lodi Chamber of Commerce CEO Pat Patrick said he sees a moratorium as a direct threat to Lodi's top industry.

"Really, it's stopping any expansion of wine and marketing events. It impacts businesses that do construction, those that make wine labels, restaurants, hotels; ... it's a huge negative impact on Lodi," Patrick said.

Wine & Roses Hotel Restaurant Spa owner Russ Munson told the council the city tried to place a moratorium on events at his business in 1998 and limited the number of times amplified music could be played at the Turner Road events center.

Instead, Munson worked with the city and eventually developed it into an 80-room hotel with a restaurant. It hosts 400 events a year.

"If there was a moratorium in the late '90s, there would be no Wine & Roses today," he said.

How the county reacts to Lodi's letter is yet to be seen.

San Joaquin County associate planner Mo Hatef said the county has received 16 letters in opposition of the text amendment and two in favor of it. A petition with 170 signatures has been submitted to the planning office, she said.

Hatef said she expects the Planning Commission's decision on the matter - however the vote ends up - to be appealed to the Board of Supervisors.

Bartlam said he understands the county's position, and it is similar to things the city has to deal with in terms of land use. However, neither the cities nor wineries that have a stake in the outcome of the proposed moratorium were consulted prior to it being proposed.

"I'm not looking for a seat at the table, just a reasonable opportunity to have our voice heard," Bartlam said.

Mayor Joanne Mounce said the council recognizes the wine industry as Lodi's "bread and butter" and she hopes the city manager's letter is persuasive.